prevailing
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prevailing
Dominant, most widespread, or most strongly developed. Describes a condition, opinion, or characteristic that dominates over others.
Die vorherrschende Windrichtung an der Küste ist West.
The prevailing wind direction on the coast is west.
'Vorherrschend' is the present participle of the verb 'vorherrschen'. This is made up of 'vor' (before/in front of) and 'herrschen' (to rule). Literally, it means that something 'rules before the others,' meaning it dominates.
Die vorherrschende Meinung war, dass der Plan zu riskant sei.
The prevailing opinion was that the plan was too risky.
This adjective can stand before a noun (attributive) as well as be used with the verb 'sein' (to be) (predicative). Both uses are very common.
Blau ist die vorherrschende Farbe in seiner neuen Wohnung.
Blue is the prevailing color in his new apartment.
'Vorherrschend' is often combined with abstract nouns to express dominance. Typical examples are 'die vorherrschende Meinung' (the prevailing opinion), 'die vorherrschende Stimmung' (the prevailing mood), 'die vorherrschende Mode' (the prevailing fashion), or 'die vorherrschende Ansicht' (the prevailing view).
Trotz einiger Kritik ist die vorherrschende Stimmung im Team positiv.
Despite some criticism, the prevailing mood in the team is positive.
mainly
Hauptsächlich and vorherrschend both describe something that is particularly strongly or frequently present. Hauptsächlich weighs the share within a particular context, while vorherrschend emphasizes its dominance over other possibilities. Use hauptsächlich for the main focus and vorherrschend for a dominant phenomenon.
In dieser Region ist trockenes Wetter gegenüber anderen Wetterlagen vorherrschend.
Dry weather prevails in this region over other weather conditions.
In dieser Region ist hauptsächlich trockenes Wetter zu erwarten.
Dry weather is mainly to be expected in this region.
